Brumbies

Rathbone to stay at Brumbies

Wallaby winger Clyde Rathbone gave the ACT Brumbies a huge boost Thursday by announcing he would be staying with the Australian Super 12 rugby franchise for a further two seasons.

The former South African under-21 captain had been in the sights of rival Australian provincial franchises NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and new team Western Force ahead of next year’s inaugural Super 14 season.

Rathbone’s decision comes at a time when the former Super 12 champions have lost scrum-half Matt Henjak and No.8 Scott Fava to the Western Force and fly-half Sam Norton-Knight to the Waratahs, while experienced flanker Owen Finegan has moved to Europe.

“The Brumbies gave me the opportunity to play rugby in Australia and provided a pathway for me to represent the Wallabies,” Rathbone said.

“They have been very loyal to me and my family and by staying loyal to them I can repay them for the opportunities they have given me.”

Rathbone missed the Wallabies’ 69-21 win over Italy last weekend after suffering a knee injury in Australia’s 74-7 win against Samoa in Sydney on June 11.